Published: January
29, 2016Full
reaction to B&M's decision to take over Burnham's Morrisons
store

Burnham-On-Sea's
MP and Mayor have given their reaction to the news that discount
retailer B&M has CONFIRMED that it will be opening a store
at the site of the town's former Morrisons supermarket.

A
B&M spokesperson told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Thursday: "We
are pleased to confirm that we have exchanged contracts with Morrisons
on their development in Pier Street. Were feeling really
positive about the creation of jobs for local people and we hope
customers are going to be delighted with their new store. We are
all really excited to get the doors open and welcome our new customers."

Burnham's
MP James Heappey said: "My reservations over the arrival
of a retailer like B&M in Burnham are well documented and
I remain very concerned. When deciding which lines to stock, I
hope that B&M will be sympathetic to what is already on offer
on the High Street and that they take the very first opportunity
to meet with local businesses so that their concerns can be allayed.
That said, the new store will bring new jobs and potentially new
shoppers to the town centre. With the deal done  no matter
what my reservations  I look forward to welcoming B&M
to the town."

Burnham's
Mayor Michael Clarke told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "It's great
news for the town that we have a new store coming and that the
Morrisons site isn't going to be empty, but my feelings are with
the traders it will effect in the town centre. It's not the ideal
outcome that everybody wanted but all credit to B&M for coming
along and filling the store."

Burnham-On-Sea
Chamber of Trade says: "We are keen to work closely with
B&M and while we are pleased that a store here will create
jobs and footfall in the town, we are very concerned that a non-grocery
store has the potential to negatively impact other High Street
traders in Burnham. We will be discussing this with the firm and
local authorities."

Burnham
Town Centre Manager Bev Milner Simonds added: "I am pleased
to see Sedgemoor's prediction of a speedy reassignment has proven
correct and I hope that staff laid off by Morrisons will be front
of the queue with B&M for new positions. Whilst this trader
will not be good news for everyone, I look forward to working
with the new store management for the benefit of the whole town
centre."

The
news comes despite several denials of interest in the site from
B&M - the latest just this week - when a spokesman said it
was "not aware that we are looking at this site".